Most often, the cause of dentin hypersensitivity is exposed dentinal tubules. When these tubules are exposed, fluid flows within them causing pain, especially when stimulated by cold, touch, or sweets. In turn, the most common cause of exposed tubules is gingival recession.1

Calm-It, recently introduced by DENTSPLY Caulk, is a glutaraldehyde-based desensitizer that reacts with the plasma proteins in dentinal fluid to reduce sensitivity. According to the manufacturer, Calm-It reduces hypersensitivity from cervical erosion for up to 6 months. Eight dentists participated in this Dental Product Shopper evaluation of Calm-It, using the product in their practices for 4 weeks. The evaluators were asked to give their opinion on Calm-It's ease of use, technique, reduction of sensitivity, and several other items.

Ease of Use and Technique

To apply Calm-It, place 2 drops into a dispensing well, dip the micro-brush, gently rub Calm-It onto the surface, and gently dry with a dental syringe. Calm-It can also be applied using the Integral Brush unit dose. According to the manufacturer, the Integral Brush is bendable for easier intraoral access. The brush inserts fully into the unit dose container, reducing the amount of wasted material. Calm-It application time is 30 to 60 seconds, similiar to the application time of most other desensitizers. When the evaluators were asked to rate Calm-It's ease of use, 6 rated it as excellent, 1 rated it as very good, and 1 rated it as fair. With regard to technique, 4 evaluators rated it as excellent and 4 rated it as very good. The evaluator who rated ease of use as fair said, '[It] required a relatively long application time.' Another evaluator said Calm-It is 'easy to apply, especially the unit dose package.' This same evaluator described the technique as 'easy.'

Instructions and Packaging

When the evaluators were asked to rate the instructions that accompany Calm-It, 4 rated them as excellent, 2 rated them as very good, and 2 rated them as good. The same breakdown of responses occurred when the evaluators were asked about Calm-It's packaging. One evaluator said, 'The Integral Brush unit is a great idea. Saves time setting up, plus eliminates wasted drops when using the conventional bottle dispensing system.'

Immediate Desensitizing

According to the manufacturer, Calm-It provides fast pain control, delivering tubule penetration in seconds. The evaluators were asked to rate Calm-It on its ability to provide immediate desensitization. Two rated it as excellent, 3 rated it as very good, and 3 rated it as good. One evaluator said, 'All patients reported immediate desensitizing.' Another evaluator said his patients 'noticed immediate desensitization in cervically sensitive areas.'

Postoperative Sensitivity

DENTSPLY Caulk describes Calm- It as being able to provide lasting results against hypersensitivity. It is compatible with adhesives, cements, restoratives, amalgams, and core buildup and temporary materials. When the evaluators were asked to rate the reduction of postoperative sensitivity achieved with Calm-It, 3 rated it as excellent, 2 rated it as very good, and 2 rated it as good. One evaluator, who used Calm-It on about 10 patients said, 'I have gotten a positive response to treatment, but not much feedback on how long it is effective for cervical sensitivity.'

Overall Satisfaction

When the evaluators were asked if they would recommend Calm-It to their colleagues, 7 said definitely or probably. Five evaluators said they would definitely or probably purchase Calm-It in the future. Four evaluators gave Calm-It an overall satisfaction rating of excellent, 3 rated it as very good to good, and 1 rated it as fair. One evaluator said, 'I think Calm-It is a very user friendly product. I like the fact that it is not a sticky paste like so many of the products on the market.'

PRODUCT RESOURCES

Calm-It desensitizer is compatible with adhesives, cements, restoratives, amalgams, and core build-up and temporary materials. Most often, the cause of dentin hypersensitivity is exposed dentinal tubules. When these tubules are exposed, fluid flows within them causing pain, especially when stimulated by cold, touch, or sweets. In turn, the most common cause of exposed tubules is gingival recession. 1 Calm-It, recently introduced by DENTSPLY Caulk, is a glutaraldehyde-based desensitizer that reacts with the plasma proteins in ...